The Green Bay Packers weren’t an elite defense in 2019, but a highly-productive pass-rush – anchored by Za’Darius Smith, Kenny Clark and Preston Smith – provided Mike Pettine’s group with a clear and valuable identity.
The Packers defense in 2020 has lost its identity. Forget the run defense – the regressing pass-rush is Pettine’s biggest problem.
Last season, the Packers produced 304 total pressures during the regular season, or 19 a game, per Pro Football Focus. The two Smiths and Clark combined for 210 of the 304.
Pettine and outside linebackers coach Mike Smith preach disruption over sacks. While the Packers ranked 15th in the NFL in sacks, the defense was among the league leaders in Pass Rush Win Rate, total pressures and pressure percentage.
In 2020, the Packers aren’t getting enough sacks or pressures.
The defense has 12 sacks and 53 total pressures in five games, or about 10 pressures per game. The pass-rushing production volume has been cut almost in half from 2019.
Preston Smith hasn’t been nearly as effective, Clark missed 3.5 games with a groin injury and Za’Darius Smith isn’t winning as consistently. Clark still doesn’t have a pressure; the two Smiths have just 20 in five games.
Rashan Gary has been better in Year 2 but far from dominant. He has eight pressures in four games. Kingsley Keke has seven, but he’s been on the field for 97 pass-rushing snaps.
On Sunday in Tampa Bay, the Packers pressured Tom Brady just five times. The 43-year-old quarterback wasn’t sacked.
The Packers are on pace for 169 total pressures in 2020. This defense needs a whole lot more to survive.
| Source: Pro Football Focus | Za’Darius Smith | Preston Smith | Kenny Clark |
| Pressures/game, 2019 | 5.8 | 3.4 | 3.9 |
| Pass-rushing productivity, 2019 | 10.6 | 8.6 | 7.1 |
| Pressures/game, 2020 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| Pass-rushing productivity, 2020 | 5.6 | 3.4 | 0.0 |
